Palacios fish kill not caused by red tide

Texas Parks and Wildlife received a report of a fish kill in Palacios, but there are no signs it was caused by red tide algae.

The fish kill was reported at the Turtle Bay boat ramp near Palacios on Monday afternoon, according to a news release issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Dissolved oxygen levels in the water were extremely low, and there was no evidence of red tide found in the water, Texas Parks and Wildlife marine biologist Meridith Byrd said.

Red tide algae produces neurotoxins that kill fish and make shellfish and oysters toxic to eat. The algae bloom flourished in Texas waters last year, killing more than 4.5 million fish and causing state health department officials to close oyster season for months.

State officials have been on the alert since the algae was found in Galveston waters last week, but no red tide-related kills or other evidence of the algae bloom were reported over the weekend.

The fish kill in Palacios may have been caused by Sunday's rain showers, according to the release. The lower Texas coast remains unaffected by the red tide algae bloom.